For Immediate Release
September 14, 2000

South Hadley, Mass.—The Buildings and Grounds department of Mount Holyoke College, whose world-class campus is known for its beauty, will spend Thursday, September 21 improving the facilities of seven local nonprofits. Called the "Day of Giving," the daylong event will bring 43 members of the College’s Building and Grounds crew to four sites in South Hadley, two sites in Holyoke, and a site in Chicopee. Originally the idea of Stephen Page, a heating and air conditioning specialist with the Building and Grounds department, the day was brought to fruition through the efforts of the Buildings and Grounds department in partnership with the College’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Mount Holyoke students will also join the day, along with a few other staff members.

"We’re thrilled to be working with the various community organizations for this Day of Giving," says Andrea Ayvazian, dean of religious life. "It’s a delight to share our talented staff with the community, and we are also grateful to the local suppliers who are donating needed lumber, paint, and water piping. It’s a great collaboration in the spirit of community service."

Donations, in addition to the full day of labor and equipment by the College, are also being made by Falcetti and Clark of Holyoke (electrical supplies), F.W. Webb of Northampton (water piping), Clark Paint Factory of Springfield (paint), Street Supply of Granby (lumber), Kellco Products of Springfield, MA (weather matting), and Dwight Pearl of Holyoke (transportation of heavy equipment).

All seven organizations that requested assistance will receive work on Sept. 21. In Chicopee, Valley Opportunity Council will receive electrical work in a housing project, and its Chicopee lodging house will get a fresh coat of paint in its hallways. South Hadley’s four projects include the South Hadley Historical Society (removal of chain link from the Sycamores’s garden area), the South Hadley Council on Aging’s Dayton Street facility (painting of a large room and installation of light on building’s exterior), the South Hadley Conservation Commission (trail trimming in the conservation area by the high school and off of River Lodge Road), and the Girl Scouts of South Hadley (the Camp Lewis Perkins site will have four carpentry projects and two minor plumbing jobs). In Holyoke, the Soldiers Home will have yard work completed, and Girls Inc. will have their floors stripped and waxed.

Participating Building and Grounds crews will be deployed from the College at 8 AM and will work the full day at each site.